The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

290
The Highland Monthly.
battle, it is also believed to afford protection from drown-
ing, and is looked upon as an article of considerable marketable
value among sailors. The belief in its efficacy is by no
means confined to the Highlands or even to Scotland.
The French in Mauritius attach special virtue to it, and
offer it for sale at fancy prices. In 1835, an advertisement
in the following terms appeared in the Times newspaper :
" A child's caul to be disposed of, a well-known preservative
against drowning, &c. Price 10 guineas," Mr Moore
refers to this superstition in the Isle of Man, and states
that a caul has been advertised for sale in a Liverpool
newspaper in 189 1.
In connection with this matter, it may be mentioned
that the cowl of the monk— Gaelic, codiull; Latin, aicullus
— was also used as an amulet in battle. In the life of St
Columba, in the Book of Lismore, we are told that Columcille
sained, or consecrated, a cowl for the warrior Aed
Slaine, and said that he (the warrior) would not be slain
so long as that cowl should be on him. Aed Slaine went
upon a raid. He forgot his cowl. He was slain on that
day. Again, in Adamnan's Life of Columba (Book II., ch.
25), mention is made of Findlugan donning the Saint s
cowl to protect him from the spear-thrusts of Manus
Dextera !
[to IE eONTlN'VED.]
—